The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Wants to Break Off the Engagement

Side Story 16

Someone was slowly revealing their outline from deep within the snowy mountains. Due to overwhelming power, they had lost one arm and one leg, but replaced those areas with ice. Becoming accustomed to that form was not easy, but it was only a fleeting process.

"Do you hate me that much? Is it because I'm not your original master?"

She calmly murmured as she smoothed down her frozen hair. She had caused quite a commotion in order to obtain this power. She thought that once she had seized it, it would truly become hers, but the rebellious energy refused to subside in the slightest. Now, there was no way for it to escape from this body—then why was it still struggling so violently?

"Planning to return after I die? That won't do. Not after what I went through to get you."

She barely managed to subdue the rampaging mana and slowly began her descent. This mana was her very essence, something she could not yield to anyone else. Even if she were to perish here, there was no way she would hand it over in vain.

"You've been even more bothersome lately. Is it because someone you know has arrived?"

With a swelling heart, she gazed beyond the snowy plain. This power was revealing a desire to return somewhere. It was probably related to its original master, but until now, that life surely hadn't survived.

"Hmmm... Who could it be? Would it get quiet if I killed them now?"

She revealed a clear murderous intent and threatened the monsters surrounding her. Rather than attacking her, they couldn't even approach. If she gave the order, they would surely tremble and obey against their will.

"What the? There are so few of you. Where did everyone go?"

She looked around before showing an expression of disappointment. Normally, the monsters should be overflowing, but now only a scant few remained. Could it be that they had fled far away, terrified of her?

"Let's see... You're all gathering over there, huh?"

After confirming the monsters' location, she changed direction. She had thought about taking a light stroll, but instead, her curiosity was piqued. She also needed to find the existence that was stirring up this power—maybe it was time to move a bit busier.

"There shouldn't be a human as strong as me... Oh, right. Can I even be called human anymore?"

With a chilling laugh, she crossed over the snowfield. Having lost her life as a human long ago, she could become ruthless without hesitation. She was slowly becoming a monster due to this power, but even that had now become routine to her.

"Where could they be? If they're pretty, maybe I'll let them live..."

* * *

Uriel was finally taking a rest after fending off the monsters' assault. Having expended a massive amount of mana in such a short time, exhaustion had inevitably built up. At least she had dealt with the majority of the monsters, so she could recover some mana for the time being.

'This isn't the end. More will come.'

Uriel exhaled, bringing her hands close to the campfire. Although snow wasn't falling, the biting cold was hard to withstand. She had to rely on the flame in front of her to warm her body.

'Will I really be happy if I just do this?'

Uriel unconsciously recalled the things she had never possessed. If her family had stayed intact, if she had gained wealth and fame, if she had been blessed with a bit more talent—could she have led a better life than now?

'Who knows, really. I move by foreseeing the future, but what does it all even mean?'

Uriel found that even her sense of anticipation about the future was fading now. Of course, she couldn't see every possible future, but her fate had been forcibly dragged down a narrow path. She had wandered endlessly as it was, but now it seemed she would have to be bound by that stream as well.

'I know my role is important. But I just don't have that kind of sense of responsibility...'

"You look a bit tired. Are you all right?"

Someone ambled around the campfire before sitting across from her. The escort knights who had followed slowly withdrew and began guarding the perimeter. Uriel recognized the person's face and spoke belatedly.

"You came all the way out here?"

"Would it do, just because I'm the Crown Prince, to stay inside all the time?"

Vanderas gazed into the campfire for a while, then slowly shifted his gaze. Staring at Uriel, he was swept up in subtle emotions. Although his appearance had always been upright and radiant, now there was a shadow cast upon it. He must have overexerted himself in the fighting.

"Still, you should remain in the inner castle. If something goes wrong, you might get hurt."

"If I were afraid of getting hurt, I wouldn't have come to the northern territory. I have responsibilities as well."

Vanderas wore a grave expression, speaking solemnly. If he were to receive special treatment simply for being the Crown Prince, he could never grasp the Empire's true situation. Sometimes, he had to stand from the subjects' perspective and experience the harsh reality firsthand.

"But... you have to inherit the throne, right?"

"To inherit the throne, I must be worthy of it. Can someone rule an empire just by prioritizing their own safety?"

"Not just anyone can rule the Empire, can they? That's why you have to think of your own well-being."

"If we do that, nothing can be changed. Wasn't it you who told me? That there are many who suffer discrimination due to imperial traditions. Only by overcoming that can we make this empire prosper."

"......"

Seeing this, Uriel found herself confronted with a very clear image at last. Vanderas was truly displaying the qualities of a wise sovereign. If it were for the Empire, he would probably even cast aside his own personal gain.

'If this man becomes Emperor, the nation will finally know peace. But...'

Uriel realized even more clearly that she could never truly be with Vanderas. He was acutely aware of the responsibilities of an emperor, and so he would be wholly absorbed in state affairs. If that happened, he would ultimately relinquish all he had for the sake of the greater good, sacrificing himself for duty.

'If I get involved with this person, I'll just bring myself pain.'

That was why Uriel hoped Vanderas would not harbor affection for her. Such feelings would only bring pain and regret. It was probably arrogant to assume, but she couldn't help glimpsing the possibility.

'I... can't love this person...'

"I still want to appoint you as a court mage of the imperial household. It will seem like I'm using connections, like the others did. But it's also a will to break the customs of the Empire."

"..."

"If you ever return to the capital, I hope you'll reconsider my offer. If your thoughts change after your appointment, then I won't stop you. Experiencing it yourself is a kind of answer as well."

"... Alright. I'll consider it if I get the opportunity."

Uriel reluctantly agreed and added more wood to the fire. Her answer would not change, but she could not trample on the Crown Prince's dignity. Perhaps, when he became Emperor, she would be left with no choice but to acknowledge the difference in their status.

'Even if I go back to the capital, what could I do?'

Uriel could find no answer. Though she had glimpsed a distant future, she herself was lost in the present. Maybe even this reality was part of her fate.

'I feel like... I won't be able to go back. That's how it feels.'

* * *

Zair, having reorganized his forces and supplies, climbed up onto the castle wall. Monster corpses surrounded the perimeter of the first outer wall. The first battle had ended in victory, but the monsters would keep trying to invade.

'We did well holding them off, but...'

Zair always kept in mind the scenario where the first outer wall fell. One had to assume the worst in order to prevent numerous dangers. If retreat became necessary, at least the lives of the soldiers and subjects must be preserved.

'The reinforcements are cooperating better than expected.'

He hadn't expected much from the reinforcements, since they weren't regular troops and would naturally be more difficult to manage. However, as they performed above expectations, Zair allowed himself a little relief.

'Reinforcements aren't to be underestimated.'

Even the imperial army of the capital received rigorous training, and the imperial knight order, having followed the Crown Prince, had joined in as well. On top of that, the Semerune Holy Order had formed a detachment including the holy knight order and some priests. The mage society had only sent a few wizards, but they were having a sizable impact in battle.

'Most impressive of all was the great mage's disciple.'

The great mage's disciple cast wide-area spells that wiped out the majority of the monsters at once. Their power was so overwhelming that not only the forces stationed nearby, but even the other mages were taken aback. The leader of the holy knight order couldn't hide his admiration and even added that he himself would have trouble handling her.

'To think a woman reached such a realm... Truly remarkable.'

The northern army itself was predominantly male. The capital's imperial army was much the same, and there was little difference in the Semerune Holy Order's holy knight order. Someone would surely find it remarkable that the great mage's disciple was a woman.

'With such looks, she could easily have chosen another path...'

Certainly, the great mage's disciple possessed stunning beauty. Any man would glance back at her, and women might feel instinctive jealousy at a glance. Had she relied only on her beauty, she could have enjoyed a life of luxury.

'She's a woman of substance—worthy of respect.'

Recalling her appearance, Zair slowly descended from the castle wall. She must have worked extremely hard to become a great mage. Perhaps recognition as a mage was what mattered to her, not just her looks.

'Yet if she's from a noble family, wouldn't there be marriage obligations...?'

"Everything's comfortable these days, huh?"

"No, sir!"

"What do you mean, no! You're only saying that nonsense because you're infatuated!"

Zair saw a familiar scene and immediately approached. Roden was making the soldiers line up and giving them physical punishment. What had happened for him to drive them so hard in the middle of wartime?

"What's the reason for this?"

"Oh, commander, you're here."

Roden flinched and furtively glanced around. Zair stood silent for a moment, then spoke again.

"Is there a reason for this discipline?"

"It's... um..."

"Is it that difficult to tell me?"

"Ha... Some of these men were talking nonsense, so I was disciplining them."

"Did they say something offensive?"

"Well, it's not just anyone, but about the great mage's disciple—they were mouthing off."

"......"

After a short pause, Zair approached the soldiers. Roden, tense, followed quietly. His superior was always calm and composed, but if he ever grew angry, he was fiercely strict. That was why seriousness was always maintained, and Roden did his best to keep Zair in check.

"I can more or less guess what kind of nonsense it was. We're fighting for our lives, and your mind's wandering elsewhere?"

"No, sir!"

"Did the great mage's disciple look that easy to you?"

"No, sir!"

"Didn't you see her fight? She could wipe out this entire area if she wanted. Do you all want to die on the spot?"

"No, sir!"

"Captain of the Guard!"

"Yes, sir!"

Roden instinctively straightened up, unintentionally raising his voice. Just from the tone, Zair's fury was obvious. Particularly because the great mage's disciple was mentioned, he reacted even more sensitively.

"From now on, regardless of rank or position, anyone who speaks carelessly about the great mage's disciple will be executed. Understood?"

"Yes, sir! Understood!"

"And these men are to be locked up in the dungeon for three days. If this happens again, the punishment will be even harsher."

"Yes, sir! I'll issue the order to all subordinate forces!"